Space: soft power’s final frontier

15

15

00:00 / 00:00

/

14 October 2017

Episode 197

30 minutes

Photo: Shutterstock

Is taking the giant leap into space still a muscle-flexing exercise for competing powers or has it become the blueprint for international co-operation? As Australia gears up to start its own space programme, we ask: what are countries looking for up there and is it worth it? Andrew Mueller talks to Susmita Mohanty, Matthew Agnew, Matthew Goodman and Commander Chris Hadfield.

The Foreign Desk - latest episodes

In part two of our summer series on global leaders we profile UK prime minister Theresa May. The Conservative party leader was handed the poisoned chalice of Brexit little more than two years ago. Andrew Mueller – joined…

Anyone wanting a glimpse of what might be unfolding in Canadian politics should look to Ontario, which has just elected Doug Ford – brother of the late crack-smoking mayor of Toronto, Rob – as its new premier. In the ope…

In part one of our summer series on global leaders we profile Israeli prime minister Benjamin ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu. Soon to be the country’s longest-serving PM, he is also one of its most divisive. We speak to his biographer…

The loosening of media-ownership rules in Australia was meant to protect companies from a changing marketplace. But could it see the disappearance of a trusted newspaper publisher? Karen Middleton of ‘The Saturday Paper’…

As the northern hemisphere gears up for holiday season Andrew Mueller explores the importance of flag-carriers to a country’s brand and asks if they’re managing to keep up with their budget competitors. Featuring Tyler…

Tensions are rising over the Golan Heights, as a Syrian military offensive approaches Israeli-occupied land. Monocle’s Beirut correspondent Lizzie Porter visits the contested area to find out why – and to speak to those…

On Wednesday 100 million registered voters in Pakistan will have the chance to decide their next prime minister. But the military remains a powerful political force and corruption is rife so what chance does the winner have…

Spain’s socialist government is planning to exhume the body of the country’s former dictator, Francisco Franco. Although controversial, is this an opportunity for the nation to move on from Franco’s divisive legacy?

This week Donald Trump nominated his second justice to the Supreme Court. Brett Kavanaugh, if approved by the senate, can expect to be in his new job for the rest of his life. But is the court, which is supposed to be…

Just over two years after the UK voted to leave the EU, prime minister Theresa May’s government finally came up with a plan on how to do it. But many members of that government were so unhappy with the plan they resigned…

Nato’s heads of state and government will meet in Brussels this week. With Russia becoming more defiant and the US less interested in co-operation, does the alliance have a future and, if so, what does it look like? Andrew…

Canada’s economy is growing and its immigration policies have been met with little hostility. However, relations with its largest trading partner, the US, are unpredictable and the man who has led the resurgence of ‘brand…

People have always travelled the world in search of discovery. Only recently have borders been imposed and restrictions been placed on those who wish to relocate. But, in the case of some of the world’s most prosperous…

Every four years, football fever peaks worldwide. But for those whose national team didn't make the finals, deciding who to cheer for can be a surprisingly political choice. Our Hong Kong bureau chief, James Chambers, finds…

After years of political oppression, violent protests and internal conflicts, could Ethiopia’s new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, lead the country into a new era? Andrew Mueller is joined by Mohammed Ademo, Michala Wrong and…